Robert William McElree was born on July 19, 1920 in Fayette, Iowa, the son of William and Myrtle (Roe) McElree. He grew up in this area and graduated from OranHigh School in 1938. He joined the U. S. Air Force and flew twenty-Four flights over Germany and France during World War II. On March 9, 1946 he was united in marriage to Elizabeth Tatro in Oelwein, Iowa. He worked for the Chandler Co. as a truck drive and later for over fifteen years for A. J. Steele Co. Robert enjoyed to go trout fishing, camping, especially in the Volga-Fayette-Wadena area and hunting rabbits, squirrels and other game. He even found time to visit the boat and lose a little money like most of us do. He was a member of Ross Reid American Legion Post #9 in Oelwein.
Robert is survived by two daughters, Dixie (John) Kleiman of Harpers Ferry, Iowa and Rebecca Pierce of Waterloo, Iowa; five grandchildren, Beth Wells and Dyana Pierce both of Davenport, Iowa, Darcy (Bruce) Marshall of Mason City, Iowa and Tracy Doerrfeld and Kathleen (Kalen) Jacobsen both of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; eleven great grandchildren and a sister, Mildred (Fabian) Robinson of Hospers, Iowa. He was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth, three brothers, John, Leroy and Harry McElree, three sisters, Lillian Redford, Florence Earle and Mary Milks and his parents.
Visitation is from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Thursday, March 4, 2010 at the Geilenfeld Funeral Home. A Graveside service will be 10:30 AM on Friday, March 5, 2010 at Grandview Cemetery in Fayette, Iowa.
